AN Extinction Rebellion protester has climbed Big Ben dressed as Boris Johnson with a giant banner.
A spokesman for the group said the climber was tree surgeon Ben Atkinson, 43.
He said Mr Atkinson was planning to drop an Extinction Rebellion banner from the tower – currently under maintenance and surrounded by scaffolding – to “highlight Government inaction on the climate and ecological emergency”.
After scaling the tower, the demonstrator – who appeared to be wearing a costume and wig mimicking Prime Minister Boris Johnson – unfurled the flag and waved to the crowds below.
A spokeswoman for the House of Commons said: We are aware of a trespasser on the Elizabeth Tower which is being dealt with by the Metropolitan Police and the Parliamentary Security Department.
He later posted photos of himself on Facebook, writing: “Gone and done it… Extinction Rebellion. Here to stay.
“We got the declaration of climate emergency.
“Now, please Boris, you’re struggling to navigate Brexit let alone work our way out of the sixth mass extinction event. Please. Pretty please…. let’s get on with the citizens assembly”.
More to follow…
